Lesson 27 EVALUATE THE CASUALTY

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Combat Life Saver
Lesson 27EVALUATE THE CASUALTY
Compiled and edited by, 2LT John C. Miller, PA-C
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Lesson 27EVALUATE THE CASUALTY

• INTRODUCTION
• As a combat lifesaver, you will evaluate and
  treat soldiers as your combat duties permit. This
  requires you to apply the buddy-aid skills
  presented in IS0824 and the medical skills
  presented in IS0825. You must identify what is
  wrong with the casualty and determine the
  sequence in which the various treatments will be
  given. For example, you would restore breathing
  to a casualty before you would splint his
  fractured leg. In general, you will restore
  breathing, then control any major bleeding, then
  take measures to control shock.

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EVALUATE THE CASUALTY

• Once life-threatening conditions and/or injuries
  have been identified and treated, look for other
  injuries or problems and treat them.
• If you have more than one casualty, perform a
  quick primary survey of each casualty. If you
  find a life-threatening condition during your
  primary survey, treat that condition immediately.
  After you have performed primary surveys on all
  casualties and have treated all immediate
  life-threatening conditions, perform a secondary
  survey on each casualty. Treat the more seriously
  injured casualty first.

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EVALUATE THE CASUALTY

• Use common sense when evaluating a casualty. If
  the environmental conditions favor heat injuries,
  for example, pay special attention to signs and
  symptoms of heat injury while also quickly
  checking for other injuries.
• Some evaluations may be performed so fast they
  may appear to be skipped. If a casualty is
  yelling in pain, for example, you do not need to
  perform additional checks to determine if the
  casualty is conscious and breathing.

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EVALUATE THE CASUALTY

• TASK
• Identify appropriate evaluation and treatment
  procedures, including sequence, performed on the
  battlefield.
• CONDITIONS
• Given multiple-choice examination items
  pertaining to evaluating and treating a casualty.
• STANDARD
• Score 70 or more points on the 100-point written
  examination.

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PERFORM A GENERAL SURVEY OF THE SCENE

• Quickly evaluate your immediate surroundings to
  gather vital information.
• Look for obvious, immediate, life-threatening
  hazards such as flames, the possibility of an
  immediate explosion, enemy fire, and electrical
  hazards. If your life and the casualty's life are
  in danger due to your immediate environment,
  tactically move the casualty and yourself to
  safety, thus preventing yourself from being
  injured.

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PERFORM A GENERAL SURVEY OF THE SCENE

• Note the physical surroundings and the climate.
  A wall may indicate that the casualty could have
  fallen. Hot weather may indicate the possibility
  of heat injury.
• Note the type of battle or incident that
  occurred. This may help you determine the type
  of injuries you can expect (bullet wounds after a
  fire fight, shrapnel injuries after a mortar
  attack, fractured limbs and spinal injuries after
  an airborne accident, etc.)
• Note whether chemical agents may be present.

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PROTECT CASUALTY FROM HAZARDS

• If a life-threatening hazard (such as a burning
  building) is present, remove the casualty to a
  place of safety using the cradle drop drag or
  other appropriate carry (IS0824, Lesson 15).
• If the casualty is being burned (flames,
  chemicals, electrical current, etc.), eliminate
  the source of the burn (IS0824, Lesson 11). Take
  care to prevent being injured yourself,
  especially if separating the casualty from an
  electrical wire.
• If a spinal injury is suspected (IS0824, Lesson
  10), take care to prevent additional damage to
  the spinal column. Immobilize the casualty's neck
  and back after completing your primary survey.

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PERFORM A PRIMARY SURVEY OF THECASUALTY

• Mask and Treat a Chemical Agent Casualty
• If you are in a chemical environment, make sure
  the casualty is properly masked. If signs of
  severe nerve agent poisoning are present,
  administer three Mark I kits and one CANA
  (IS0824, Lesson 13).
• If liquid blister agent is in the casualty's
  eyes, flush his eyes with water even if you are
  still in a chemical environment (IS0825, Lesson
  22).

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PERFORM A PRIMARY SURVEY OF THECASUALTY

• Check the Casualty for Responsiveness
• Calmly ask in a loud voice, "Are you okay?" or
  some similar question that demands a response
  from the casualty. If he does not respond, gently
  shake him or tap him on the shoulder and repeat
  the question.
• If the casualty responds, ask the casualty for
  information ("Where do you hurt?" "Were you hit?"
  "Were you exposed to chemical agents? etc.) This
  information will be useful in your evaluation,
  but continue to evaluate the casualty in a
  systematic method since the injury that hurts the
  most may not be the injury that needs to be
  treated first.

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PERFORM A PRIMARY SURVEY OF THECASUALTY

• If the casualty is not responsive, send a soldier
  for medical help (send soldier to get a combat
  medic) and continue your evaluation.

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PERFORM A PRIMARY SURVEY OF THECASUALTY

• Check the Casualty's Airway
• If the casualty is responsive, evaluate him for
  airway obstruction (universal choking sign,
  difficulty in breathing, etc.). If the casualty
  has poor or no air exchange, expel the
  obstruction (IS0824, Lesson 2).
• If the casualty is not responsive (unconscious),
  open his airway using the head-tilt/chin-lift or
  jaw thrust method (IS0824, Lesson 3).

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PERFORM A PRIMARY SURVEY OF THECASUALTY

• Question
• If you think the casualty has a fractured neck,
  which method would you use?
• Response
• Jaw thrust.

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PERFORM A PRIMARY SURVEY OF THECASUALTY

• Check the Casualty's Breathing
• If a responsive casualty is talking or yelling in
  pain, his breathing is adequate.
• If the casualty is not responsive (unconscious),
  evaluate his breathing by feeling for breath on
  your face, looking for the rising and falling of
  his chest, and listening for sounds of breathing.
• If the casualty is not breathing or is having
  difficulty in breathing, open his airway, expel
  any airway obstruction, and perform
  mouth-to-mouth resuscitation (IS0824, Lesson 3).
• Do not perform mouth-to-mouth (or mouth-to-nose)
  resuscitation in a chemical environment.

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PERFORM A PRIMARY SURVEY OF THECASUALTY

• Check the Casualty's Circulation
• If the casualty is responsive and breathing
  adequately, he has a pulse.
• If the casualty is unresponsive or not breathing,
  check his pulse (IS0824, Lesson 3). If the
  casualty has no pulse, seek medical help
  immediately.
• If you are qualified to administer
  cardiopulmonary resuscitation, you can administer
  CPR and send a soldier to get medical help.

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PERFORM A PRIMARY SURVEY OF THECASUALTY

• Check the Casualty for Bleeding
• Look for blood-soaked clothing, spurts of blood,
  pooling of blood under the body, and other signs
  of external bleeding.
• If a major amputation of a limb is found, apply a
  tourniquet to the upper arm or thigh and dress
  the stump (IS0824, Lesson 4).

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PERFORM A PRIMARY SURVEY OF THECASUALTY

• Question
• If a soldier has had a finger completely cut off,
  would you apply a tourniquet?
• Response
• No. Amputation of part of a hand or part of a
  foot can be controlled by a pressure dressing.

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PERFORM A PRIMARY SURVEY OF THECASUALTY

• If serious bleeding from a wound of the arm or
  leg is found, apply a field dressing or
  improvised dressing and bandage to the wound
  (IS0824, Lesson 4). Look for both entry and exit
  wounds.
• Apply manual pressure and, if the limb is not
  fractured, elevate the wound.
• If serious bleeding from a limb is not controlled
  by the field dressing, apply a pressure dressing
  (IS0824, Lesson 4).

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PERFORM A PRIMARY SURVEY OF THECASUALTY

• If serious bleeding from a limb is not controlled
  by the pressure dressing, apply a tourniquet
  (IS0824, Lesson 4).
• If an open chest wound is found, seal the wound
  with the plastic dressing wrapper or other
  airtight material, tape the sealing material on
  three sides to form a flutter valve, and apply a
  field dressing to the wound (IS0824, Lesson 5).

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PERFORM A PRIMARY SURVEY OF THECASUALTY

• If an open abdominal wound is found, position the
  casualty in a flexed-knee position, position any
  protruding organs on the casualty's abdomen,
  apply a field or improvised dressing over the
  wound and organs, and secure the dressing
  (IS0824, Lesson 6).
• If an open head wound is found, dress the wound
  (IS0824, Lesson 7). If the casualty has a severe
  head injury, immobilize the casualty's head and
  neck (IS0824, Lesson 10).
• If the casualty has more than one severe wound,
  treat the wound loosing the most blood first.
• Do not further expose the wound if you are in a
  chemical environment.

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PERFORM A PRIMARY SURVEY OF THECASUALTY

• Treat for Chemical Agent Poisoning, If
  Appropriate
• If the casualty is showing signs and symptoms of
  exposure to chemical agents (IS0825, Lesson 22),
  the casualty is breathing, and all
  life-threatening wounds have been treated,
  administer additional treatment for chemical
  agent poisoning as needed (IS0825, Lesson 22).
  (NOTE The casualty has already been masked and,
  if severe nerve agent poisoning was present,
  administered three Mark I antidote kits and one
  CANA.)

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PERFORM A PRIMARY SURVEY OF THECASUALTY

• Have the casualty begin self-aid decontamination
  procedures if he is able (IS0824, Lesson 13). If
  he cannot, have another soldier decontaminate the
  casualty. Do not stop your evaluation and
  treatment to decontaminate the casualty at this
  time.
• If the casualty is suffering from severe nerve
  agent poisoning and 5 minutes have passed since
  you administered the last Mark I kit and the
  CANA, take the casualty's pulse. If the pulse
  rate is below 90 beats per minute, administer an
  atropine injector.

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PERFORM A PRIMARY SURVEY OF THECASUALTY

• If the casualty still twitches, showing signs of
  seizure, you may administer two more CANA
  injections at about 5 to 10 minute intervals.
  Actually, time is less important here than the
  symptoms. Three CANAs are the limit--normally one
  from the soldier's mask carrier and two from your
  combat lifesaver aid bag.

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PERFORM A PRIMARY SURVEY OF THECASUALTY

• Check the Casualty for Shock
• Check the casualty for signs and symptoms of
  shock (clammy and pale skin, severe loss of
  blood, severe burns, increased breathing rate,
  mental confusion, etc.).
• If hypovolemic shock is present, position the
  casualty, protect him from the environment, and
  administer fluids intravenously (IS0824, Lesson
  8, and IS0825, Lesson 17).
• Position the casualty on his back with the feet
  elevated slightly above the level of his heart
  unless his injury requires a different position.

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PERFORM A PRIMARY SURVEY OF THECASUALTY

• If the casualty has a fractured leg, do not
  elevate the leg until it has been splinted.
• Initiate an I.V. if the casualty has suffered
  severe blood loss or has second or third degree
  burns on 20 percent or more of his body.

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PERFORM A SECONDARY SURVEY OF THE CASUALTY

• Check the Casualty for Fractures
• Check legs and arms for protruding bone, abnormal
  limb position, major wounds, bruises, and painful
  or tender spots.
• If a spinal injury is suspected (IS0824, Lesson
  10), immobilize the casualty's neck and back
  (IS0824, Lesson 10).

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PERFORM A SECONDARY SURVEY OF THE CASUALTY

• If a fracture or a massive wound is present,
  dress open wounds on the limb (including burns)
  and then immobilize the limb with a padded splint
  (IS0824, Lesson 9, and IS0825, Lesson 20).
  Secure the splint above and below the fracture
  site.
• Do not try to straighten (align) the broken bone.
• Check the casualty's circulation before and after
  applying the cravats. Loosen the cravats and
  reapply, if needed.
• Apply a sling and swath to further immobilize a
  fractured upper arm, forearm, or wrist (IS0824,
  Lesson 9).

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PERFORM A SECONDARY SURVEY OF THE CASUALTY

• Check the Casualty for Burns
• Look for reddened, blistered, or charred skin,
  for burned or singed clothing, and for other
  evidence of burns. Give special attention to
  burns about the head and neck for possible
  inhalation burns. Some burns, such as chemical
  burns, may not be readily seen unless the
  casualty's clothing is removed.
• Do not further expose wounds if you are in a
  chemical environment.

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PERFORM A SECONDARY SURVEY OF THE CASUALTY

• If the casualty has a chemical burn, remove as
  much of the chemical as possible before applying
  a dressing. (NOTE Keep white phosphorus burns
  wet to keep the particles away from oxygen and
  thus igniting, but do not try to remove the
  particles.)
• Apply a dry dressing to burned areas on the trunk
  and limbs (IS0824, Lesson 11).
• Do not apply a bandage to burns of the face or
  genitalia.

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PERFORM A SECONDARY SURVEY OF THE CASUALTY

• Remove jewelry from a burned limb.
• If an electrical current passed through the
  casualty, locate and dress both the entry and
  exit wounds.
• If second and third degree burns cover 20 percent
  or more of the skin surface, initiate an
  intravenous infusion (IS0825, Lesson 17).
• Check the Casualty for Closed Head Injury
  (Concussion)
• Look for signs and symptoms of a concussion
  (IS0824, Lesson 7).

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PERFORM A SECONDARY SURVEY OF THE CASUALTY

• Question
• What are some of the signs and symptoms of a
  concussion?
• Response
• Unequal pupils, fluid leaking from the ear or
  nose, slurred speech, mental confusion,
  drowsiness, headache, dizziness, loss of memory,
  loss of consciousness, twitching or convulsions,
  difficulty in walking (staggering), nausea, and
  vomiting.

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PERFORM A SECONDARY SURVEY OF THE CASUALTY

• If a closed head injury is suspected, evacuate
  the casualty to a medical treatment facility.
• If the casualty is having convulsions, support
  his head and neck and maintain an open airway.
• If the casualty has a head injury, monitor the
  casualty's respirations and be prepared to
  administer mouth-to-mouth resuscitation should it
  become necessary.

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PERFORM A SECONDARY SURVEY OF THE CASUALTY

• Check the Casualty for Environmental Injuries
• If the casualty has been working in a hot
  environment, check for signs and symptoms of heat
  stroke, heat exhaustion, and heat cramps (IS0824,
  Lesson 12).
• If the casualty has heat stroke, expose the skin,
  pour or spray water on him, fan him, and evacuate
  him as quickly as possible. Continue cooling
  efforts, such as pouring water over the casualty
  and fanning him, during evacuation. Have him
  drink cool water if he can tolerate the water
  without vomiting.

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PERFORM A SECONDARY SURVEY OF THE CASUALTY

• If the casualty is suffering from heat cramps or
  heat exhaustion, move him to a shaded place and
  cool him off. Have the casualty drink at least
  one quart of cool water.
• All casualties with heat exhaustion or heat
  stroke should get an intravenous infusion
  (IS0825, Lesson 17). Also, try to get the
  casualty to drink water.
• If the casualty has been exposed to cold or
  freezing weather, check for signs and symptoms of
  general hypothermia, frostbite, immersion
  syndrome, and chilblain (IS0825, Lesson 23).
• If general hypothermia is present, move the
  casualty to a protected location and use a heat
  source (such as another soldier's body) to rewarm
  the casualty. Evacuate the casualty as soon as
  practical.

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PERFORM A SECONDARY SURVEY OF THE CASUALTY

• If deep frostbite is found, move the casualty to
  a warm place, thaw the area, and evacuate the
  casualty as soon as practical.
• Do not thaw frozen feet if the casualty will be
  required to walk or if the feet will refreeze
  before reaching the medical treatment facility.
• If superficial frostbite or chilblain is found,
  rewarm and protect the affected area.
• If immersion syndrome is found, dry and rewarm
  the affected area.

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PERFORM A SECONDARY SURVEY OF THE CASUALTY

• Check the casualty for visual problems resulting
  from lasers weapons or snow blindness (IS0824,
  Lesson 11, and IS0825, Lesson 23).
• Protect the casualty from additional injury.
  Cover the eyes with a dark cloth if the casualty
  is in pain or if vision loss is severe.
• Evacuate the casualty if practical.

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PERFORM A SECONDARY SURVEY OF THE CASUALTY

• Check the Casualty for Other Wounds/Fractures
• Look for minor wounds and fractures. Dress and
  bandage the wounds as time permits. Splint
  fractured fingers using the same basic splinting
  procedures given in IS0824, Lesson 9.
• Check the Casualty for Combat Stress Reaction
• If the casualty appears to be injured but you
  cannot find any physical injury, look for signs
  and symptoms of combat stress reaction (IS0825,
  Lesson 24). If combat stress reaction is
  suspected, take appropriate measures.

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MONITOR THE CASUALTY

• Monitor the casualty for life-threatening
  conditions throughout the evaluation process.
  For example, a casualty who is breathing when you
  begin your evaluation may suddenly stop
  breathing. Anytime a life-threatening condition
  is detected, stop your evaluation and treat the
  life-threatening condition.

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MONITOR THE CASUALTY

• Some conditions may require time to properly
  evaluate. If you apply a field dressing to a
  bleeding wound on the casualty's leg, for
  example, continue to monitor the injury in case
  additional measures (pressure dressing or
  tourniquet) are needed to control bleeding. You
  can proceed with your evaluation and treatment of
  the casualty while continuing to monitor the
  wound for bleeding.

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MONITOR THE CASUALTY

• If you have administered nerve agent antidote to
  a severe nerve agent casualty, continue to check
  the casualty's pulse every five minutes. If the
  casualty's pulse rate is below 90 beats per
  minute, administer an atropine autoinjector
  (IS0825, Lesson 22). Remember, for control of
  seizures, give another CANA up to the limit of
  three.

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MONITOR THE CASUALTY

• If the casualty has not been treated for shock,
  take measures to prevent shock. The measures to
  control shock given in Lesson 8 of IS0824 (loosen
  clothing, position the casualty, and protect the
  casualty from the cold) are also used to prevent
  shock from occurring.

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MONITOR THE CASUALTY

• Monitor a heat cramp or heat exhaustion casualty
  to ensure he continues to drink water without
  vomiting and his condition does not become more
  serious. Be prepared to administer mouth-to-mouth
  resuscitation, increase cooling efforts, initiate
  an I.V., and evacuate the casualty if his
  condition worsens.
• Be ready to open his airway and administer
  mouth-to-mouth resuscitation should the need
  arise. If medical personnel arrive, report your
  findings.

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MONITOR THE CASUALTY

• Insert an oropharyngeal airway to keep an
  unconscious casualty's airway open if the airway
  is needed and is the proper size (IS0825, Lesson
  21).
• Continue to perform any needed procedures, such
  as keeping white phosphorus burns wet.
• If you are treating more than one casualty,
  continue to monitor the other casualties for
  life-threatening conditions while administering
  treatment to a casualty.
• Whenever possible, have the casualty evaluated by
  a combat medic or other medical personnel.

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MONITOR THE CASUALTY

• Continue to monitor the casualty until you return
  the casualty to duty, until a medical person
  (usually a combat medic or member of a medical
  evacuation team) takes over, or until you must
  resume your combat duties.
• If the casualty requires evacuation, transport
  him using the best means available (IS0825,
  Lesson 26, and IS0824, Lessons 14 and 15).

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MONITOR THE CASUALTY

• If you are the leader of a litter team evacuating
  the casualty, continue to monitor the casualty
  during the evacuation. Stop and render the
  appropriate aid if a life-threatening condition
  arises.
• If a medic is not available and a soldier has a
  minor headache, cold, or hay fever, administer
  acetaminophen or pseudoephedrine hydrochloride
  tablets as needed if no contraindications are
  present (IS0825, Lesson 25).

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ASSIST THE MEDIC

• If the medic requests assistance and your combat
  duties allow, assist the combat medic in
  providing care to casualties and evacuating
  casualties. The medic will provide instructions
  as needed.

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EVALUATE THE CASUALTY

• CLOSING
• As a Combat Lifesaver, you play a vital role in
  the treatment of the sick and injured on the
  battlefield. In many instances, you will be the
  first person to encounter and treat the patient.
  The care you provide can make the difference
  between a life saved and a life lost. Stay
  current in your skills and be prepared to employ
  them at a moments notice!

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Questions